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Personal Learning: – As the whole Web 2.0 scene is moving so rapidly it is only via that web itself that you can hope to keep up. The lead time for traditional book publishing is just too great. Even sources such as newspapers are having trouble keeping up. This is in part because thispart of the media is too all embracing and can’t afford to cover niche areas such as education. Another reason is that most of the Web 2.0 tools are being developed with pursuits other than education in mind. It is only through the tenacious efforts of other educaitonalists who are recognizing the potential of these tools and adopting and adapting them to educational pursuits. Reading others’ blogs is the best way I have found to keep up in part with these developments.
Hi John
But when I get back let’s talk 
I agree totally with you. It is the major way that I find out about things with mailing lists coming a close second and then listening to educational podcasts coming next.
I have added something to your giffy test. It looks good and may be something that we could work on this year. Do you know what class you are teaching this year? I think I may have asked you that already. I will be busy for a little while
Playing is an important part of my blogging, I can test activities that I think the children will enjoy and have a bit of fun myself. I can play with other folk getting feedback on what I am doing and joining in their games. Often I spend a lot of my own time in what could be a professional activity because of the fun aspect.
For example the gliffy diagram is a playful way to explore this topic. I could have been a more boring form instead. A lot of the new web tools can be looked at as toys.
[...] about ‘Why Teachers Blog’ which came, in turn, from another primary teacher called John (all very confusing at this time on a Sunday night when I should really be preparing a 6th form [...]
For me the whole experience is surprisingly introspective. I find it cathartic to work through my own thoughts and opinions in a semi-public manner.
Here’s my alternative Gliffy diagram
I can’t seem to get into your gliffy diagram but I would add a box for “Clarify my thoughts”. The process of writing things down and sharing them with others gives me the motivation and focus to think through my ideas.
Hi Ann Baird .. great to see you working with John and others. I still use your electronic books to show students how they can be used in early years literacy. John is doing some great stuff isn’t he? I showed second year Deakin students John’s Its Elementary presentation today. We have asked them to create a digital artifact as part of their first assignment.
Bye Muriel
[...] as some valuable resources such as Edublogs & Globalteacher that he shared with us. This blog of John’s may be useful for [...]
Hi John, I definitely agree that playing is an important part of getting used to these Web 2.0 tools. As AK and Sheryl N-B say you have to own something before you can give it away. I now feel confident enough with tools such as Audacity on a PC to let small groups of my pupils make their own podcasts, learning new skills as they go.
I would put getting comments from colleagues ( next door and around the other side of the world) next – kids love getting comments as well.
Paul
My blogs are adding and often changing directions all the time as ‘playing’ gives further ideas and builds upon the foundations. The blog I use for work with my students, now contains reflections, lesson plans, resources etc. I feel that comments are very much underused and want to push these to the limits especially with my students as this is when meaningful conversations take place and real learning can begin. The connectedness that comes with blogging adds further richness.
Use of multimedia within blogs allows for multiliteracy skills in students and adults.